COVID-19 guidlines

[Cliff Evans]

This issued by the BMFA this morning.

Dear BMFA member

BCC all members

First and foremost, we would like to thank members for adhering to the government guidelines during the lockdown.
As many of you are no doubt aware, the Prime Minister indicated in his speech last night that there will be some ‘relaxation’ of the current restrictions and that from Wednesday it will be possible to leave home and drive somewhere to participate in a sporting activity (provided it is with members of your own household).

Our hope it that this will permit the resumption of some model flying activity subject to compliance with certain guidelines and social distancing.

We await the publication of further details/clarification today and will issue further detailed guidance to members once we have had an opportunity to review this information.

www.bmfa.org

[john greenfield]

The below was posted by the BMFA at 17.15 yesterday.

Dear BMFA Member

N.B.This communications is being sent to all BMFA members with an active email address, it is also reproduced on the BMFA Website and official BMFA Facebook page.

A return to the Skies

The UK government has indicated that there will be some ‘relaxation’ of the current restrictions and that from Wednesday 13th May it will be possible to leave home and drive somewhere to engage in a sporting/recreational activity. Please note that at the present time, this ‘relaxation’ applies only to England. The advice for Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales remains ‘stay home’.

This change in government advice will permit the resumption of some model flying activity in England subject to compliance with certain guidelines and social distancing. Points to note include:

1. We remain in the midst of a pandemic. The updated government advice must not be regarded as meaning a ‘return to normal’. The situation is dynamic and current government advice must be followed.

2. The effects of the COVID-19 virus are most serious in men over the age of 60, especially those with other underlying health problems. As many of our members fall into this group, we would urge careful consideration before venturing out and risking any potential exposure to the virus, however small the risk may be.

3. At no point during the lockdown has model flying been prohibited. It is mainly the government’s blanket restrictions on non-essential travel which has precluded our activity (which remains the case in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales), although some landlords have imposed their own restrictions on activity on their land. Therefore, regardless of any changes to the government’s advice, any such local restrictions must also be considered.

4. Should Clubs/members in England decide to resume model flying then they must follow government advice. Some simple measures to consider may include:

Social distancing in accordance with government guidelines ensuring the minimum 2 metre (and preferably greater) separation from other people (unless from the same household) is always maintained (including in the carpark, pits & pilot box). Clubs need to consider measures to ensure compliance with this requirement, which in some instances is likely to require limitations on the number of members on a club site at any one time.
Latex/Nitrile/Vinyl gloves to be worn or hand sanitiser used immediately before and immediately after opening/unlocking and closing/locking access gates and padlocks
Latex/Nitrile/Vinyl gloves to be worn or hand sanitiser used immediately before and immediately after using any club site maintenance equipment.
No sharing of model flying equipment and aircraft (apart from by those sharing a household).
Unless both instructor and pupil share the same household, if an individual has not yet reached a “safe solo” competence and still requires supervision, a buddy system must be employed, preferably wireless and with the instructor and student using their own equipment. If a wired system is used it must allow the instructor to maintain a minimum 2m separation from the student and appropriate sanitation measures should be taken when handling the buddy lead.
Clubhouses and any shared facilities (e.g. toilets) to remain closed.
Hand sanitiser should be considered an essential item in every model aircraft flyer’s flight box.
Anyone displaying symptoms of COVID-19, or who shares a household with any individual displaying symptoms, must not fly and should stay at home to maintain social isolation in accordance with government advice.

Ultimately, it has to be the individual’s decision whether to go flying or not and to take responsibility for their own safety.

We will issue further guidance as details become available.

The health and wellbeing of our members remains our first priority, so please stay safe.

Best Regards
The BMFA

AEB

[Cliff Evans]

Thanks John, beat me to it!!

[Paul_Williams]

For what its worth - this is the interpretation placed on this by my model boat club - who may or may not be right...…

At a private venue - i.e. club site there should be a maximum of two people and any late comers should leave.
Reading BMFA guidance carefully, they seem to agree

I have no idea of the position when flying in a public park.
I have no idea if the National Trust have expressed a view.

Is this really the green light ????
I would love to think so but would individuals 'gathering' at a hill site beak the rules (even with social distancing ).
Whilst we all know we can operate safely with zero prospect of cross infection - the guidance isn't worded helpfully.
Are there any insurance implications of 'getting it wrong' ??? No idea.

The BMFA give the impression that they have sought government guidance but their words are very guarded.

Paul …… grounded and as frustrated as the rest of you

[Barry_Cole]

I don't see why a group of us going to a hill or field is any different to people going to a park, as long as we maintain a 2 Mtr separation.



BC

[Cliff Evans]

Latest:
Dear BMFA Member

B.C.C. all members

Further to yesterdays update which you can read at http://tempURL we would like to add the following

Whilst a return to model flying is now possible for some (in England only) it cannot be considered as being business as usual. A trip to the flying site to socialise with more than one other member is not permitted under the current government advice and you should not be making arrangements to meet a group of others to go flying.

Model flying within the current restrictions should be considered as a solo activity (unless with other members of your household or one person from outside your household – for safety purposes). This does not mean that if anyone else is present at the flying site you must go home (the same would be true in your local park), but gatherings must be avoided, and social distancing maintained. Some clubs have introduced a booking system to limit the number allowed on the field at any one time and to minimise wasted journeys. We would also re-iterate that where land-owners have closed their sites (such as the MOD and National Trust) you must not fly there unit they re-open.

Do remember that when you go flying you are not there to meet up with others, you are there to fly your aircraft and nothing else. Do not mingle with other people and respect social distancing guidance to ensure you maintain a safe distance. If in any doubt, please stay at home.

Turn up, fly, go home!!

Best Regards
The BMFA

[Paul_Williams]

Great news from the BMFA but as you see - gatherings must be avoided. A group is by definition a gathering.
Sadly talking legalise has nothing to do with fair, reasonable and common sense.

I think we are fortunate that our activity is being accepted as for outdoor exercise/fresh air.
As a bunch of boys playing with toys, we might struggle to argue its necessary for our mental health

Most important that we respect the National Trusts decision not to permit flying for the moment as ignoring that could cost us dear in the future.
Paul

[Peter Balcombe]

Paul,
Is that all NT sites in England, or just local to you?
No mention on latest NT press release.

[Antonia]

Morning All, our local slope is Uffington White Horse Hill, Mel and I have refrained from flying during the lockdown and on seeing this post I did a quick search on the NT website to see if the hill was going to become accessible. Well the search pulled up a disconcerting page - https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/white- ... horse-hill
Modellers have been flying gliders there for years, and we have never had an issue when flying there, what's your thoughts?
Do we carry on and challenge any approach and point out the difference between drones being self autonomous and RC gliders requiring a "proper" pilot who has skill to fly in a controlled manner from launch to landing.
Any thoughts welcome.
Antonia

[Barry_Cole]

form lunch to landing.

It's all food with you.....



BC